Aussie Basketballers are back running up and down the hardwood in stadiums all across Europe. Therefor it’s time to bring back our International Player of the Week.
Each week the AussieHoopla.com Player of the Week award goes to the Aussie who has had the greatest impact both on the stat sheet and their teams record. This weeks winner is….
Aussie Hoopla International Player of the Week
Aron Baynes
Hometown: Cairns, QLD
Current Team: Union Olimpija (Slovenia – Slovenian League, Adriatic League and Euroleague)
Former Teams: Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuania), EWE Baskets Oldenburg (Germany) Ikaros Kallitheas (Greece)
After playing a major role in the Australia National team’s result in London (Baynes averaged 7.5 points and 3.3 rebounds during the Olympics) it is clear he has really taken his game to the next level with his new team Union Olimpija (1-1).
Although his team lost 75-81 to Turkish squad Fenerbahce Ulker (2-0) Aron Baynes clearly won the battle of the Aussie big men as he faced off against his Aussie Boomers team mate David Andersen and finished with a double-double (14 points and 12 rebounds) in only 23 minutes of court time. It is only 3 games into the Euroleague season but currently Aron Baynes is the league’s best rebounder with 10 per game. After 3 games Baynes is averaging 17.7ppg, 10rpg while shooting at 56%.
|
MIN |
FG |
3PT |
FT |
PTS |
REBS |
AST |
STL |
BLKS |
TO |
|
23 |
6-14 |
0-0 |
2-2 |
14 |
12 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
Honourable Mentions
Aleks Maric
Hometown: Sydney, NSW
Current Team: Lokomotiv Kuban (Russia – VTB League, Eurocup)
Former Teams: Nebraska (NCAA), KK Partizan (Serbia), Panathinaikos (Greece)
At the opposite end of the spectrum Aleks Maric didn’t have the Olympic performance he had hoped for in 2012, averaging a mere 2.8 points, but his performances in the VTB League have show he is still one of the most talented centers in Europe. Although the 211cm big man couldn’t stop his team Lokomotiv Kuban (1-2) from losing to lowly ranked Czech team Nymburk 81-74 Maric still produced good numbers scoring 16 points and pulling down 14 rebounds in a double-double effort. Maric was extremely active on the defensive end adding 3 steals. The VTB United League is only 3 games into its season but Maric has already put a big stamp on it so far. He current leads and so far he is averaging 12.0ppg, and 12.0rpg. Lokomotiv Kuban currently sits eighth in Group B of the VTB League.
|
MIN |
FG |
3PT |
FT |
PTS |
REBS |
AST |
STL |
BLKS |
TO |
|
31 |
8-12 |
0-0 |
0-3 |
16 |
14 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
Brad Newley
Hometown: Lower Mitcham, SA
Current Team: Gran Canaria (Spain – ACB, Euroleague)
Former Teams: Townsville (NBL), Besiktas (Turkey), BC Lietuvos Rytas (Lithuania), Valencia Basket (Spain)
Brad Newley and his new team Gran Canaria (2-2) fell this week to lower-ranked Cajasol (1-3) 74-63. Newley was the game’s top scorer with 14 points and he also added 6 rebounds. Gran Canaria are not one of the better teams in the Spanish ACB league, finishing 14th last season, so Newley will certainly has a huge challenge on his shoulders trying to achieve a better result for the team in perhaps the strongest domestic league outside of America. Currently he is averaging 11.5ppg, 4.5rpg, 1.3apg and 1.3spg
|
MIN |
FG |
3PT |
FT |
PTS |
REBS |
AST |
STL |
BLKS |
TO |
|
33 |
6-13 |
1-4 |
1-2 |
14 |
6 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
Nathan Jawai
Hometown: Sydney, NSW
Current Team: Regal Barcelona (Spain – ACB, Euroleague)
Former Teams: Cairns Taipans (NBL), Toronto Raptors (NBA), Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA), Unics Kazan (Russia)
Nathan Jawai has been sensational for Regal FC Barcelona so far this year. His 13 points and 6 rebounds in 17 minutes against 2011 NBA Champions the Dallas Mavericks was a clear indication that he is focused on taking his game to the next level this season. His impressive play continued this week as he recorded 8 points and 10 rebounds in Regal FC Barcelona’s (2-2) defeat of CAI Zaragoza (2-2) 65-50. After the first 2 games of the Euroleague season Jawai currently sits sixth in rebounding, so for those who missed it that’s two Aussies in the top 6 for rebounds in the Euroleague. This year Jawai has averaged 5.8ppg across the team’s four games.
|
MIN |
FG |
3PT |
FT |
PTS |
REBS |
AST |
STL |
BLKS |
TO |
|
21 |
3-7 |
2-4 |
5-5 |
13 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
Other Notable Aussies Overseas
Euroleague
Joe Ingles delivered 11 points and 4 rebounds in Regal FC Barcelona’s 67-49 victory against Lietuvos Rytas
David Barlow has 11 points and 11 rebounds for UCAM Murcia in their 77-75 defeated of Lagun Aro GBC
David Andersen recorded 8 points and grabbed 4 rebounds in only 12 minutes as Fenerbahce Ulker Istanbul defeated Union Olimpija
Eurocup
Matt Nielsen added 4 points in 10 minutes in BC Khimky’s 72-58 win over BC Donetsk
Ligan (Swedish Basketball League)
Rhys Carter had 10 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists (making all of his five free throws) as Uppsala Basket defeated LF Basket 96-89
Romanian Basketball Division A
Daniel Dillon led Oradea to an easy 94-78 victory with 14 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.
German ProA League
Lee Jeka who plays for Science City Jena in the German ProA (second division) had 23 points and 6 assists in 31 minutes.
Serbian/Adriatic League
Mark Worthington helped Radnicki KG defeat Szolnok 97-72 by adding 9 points and 3 steals
Phillipine Basketball League
Mick Pennisi had 14 points and 8 rebounds in Barako Bull’s 102-86 loss to Alaska Aces
Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.
